Take a Hike | Harrison Lake

One nice thing about living where we do, is that there is not shortage of hidden alpine lakes to find and explore. I know I’ve mentioned Revett Lake on multiple occasions, Kyle posted about his backpacking trip to Fault Lake, and now I’d like to share Fault Lake’s slightly more accessible neighbor, Harrison Lake. Located at the end of Pack River Rd. Just north of Sandpoint, the Harrison Lake trailhead is easy to find and accessible most of the year (it may be a challenge in winter due to the large amount of snow that accumulates back there). We hiked it back in October 2021 - it was one of the last “big” hikes we did with Juneau before she got sick. Since her passing, I haven’t been able to revisit the photos and memories, but I’m starting to turn the corner. Slowly. 

While this would be a pretty hike any time of year, I think it was an ideal fall hike - beautiful colors and landscapes. That being said, I noticed a TON of huckleberry bushes along the trail, so late July/early August would also be a particularly good time to check it out. 

I was a bit out of shape when we did this hike, having just emerged from the moving/home renovation fog. Even so, the hike felt manageable, and aside from a couple of rocky spots, the trail was very easy to find and follow. I recommend packing plenty of snacks and water as there are some steep sections and you will certainly earn a tasty reward when you arrive to the lake. 

The lake itself, and its shoreline, reminded me a lot of Revett Lake, with several areas to camp or hang out for the day. Because it was October, it was far too chilly to take a dip, but I imagine it would be welcome on a hot summer’s day. 

Overall, the hike is about 4.5-5 miles long with some decent elevation gain. I highly recommend this hike for anyone wanting to get out and try something a little different and a little challenging. I had no idea when we were doing the hike that it might be Juneau’s last, but I’m so glad it was this one. The scenery was stunning, the temperature was brisk but not cold, and we packed some great snacks to share - as it turned out Juneau was a big fan of apple chips. I’m sure the next time I do this hike I will be flooded with bittersweet memories, but I’ll definitely be up there again, probably hunting down some huckleberries.